Underground Music Events in DC, Baltimore, Los Angeles, Long Beach & Orange County
Undead Promos was created as an incredibly successful effort to turn our illegitimate lifestyle into a real one. From the rave lifestyle to organizing some of the most amazing experiences we were able to evolve.
Over the years, I’ve helped organize and throw underground raves and alternative music events across the DC Metropolitan Area. What I learned early on is that the systems designed for mainstream nightlife don’t work — and often actively work against — independent, community-driven events.
This post explains what Undead Promos is, why we operate outside traditional promotion channels, and what it actually takes to make sure artists, staff, and venues get paid at the end of the night and why you shouldn’t collaborate with bigger companies.
How I Got Into Throwing Underground Events
My entry into underground events didn’t come from a marketing background or corporate nightlife connections. It came from being part of the scene — attending shows, doing psychedelics and molly with my friends, talking to artists, helping friends move gear, spinning fire poi to impress people, and seeing firsthand what worked and what didn’t.
Underground raves and alternative music events thrive on trust. And the best events often don’t have a dollar spent up front… even for the venue. Word travels through people, relationships, and shared common interests; not platforms. Once you understand that, everything about how you promote and operate changes.
Why Underground Events Can’t Rely on Mainstream Promotion
Mainstream promotion tools are built for scale, not safety or culture.
Algorithms don’t understand underground scenes. They favor:
- High ad spend
- Predictable content
- Easily monetized audiences
For underground events, those same systems can lead to:
- Shadowbanning or post suppression
- Events being flagged or taken down
- Unwanted attention from the wrong audiences
- Increased risk to venues and artists
Because of that, Undead Promos relies on organic, alternative marketing methods that protect both the event and the people involved.
Organic Marketing That Actually Works Underground
Instead of paid ads or mass blasts, underground promotion is about signal, not noise.
Some of the most effective methods we use include:
- Meeting everyone at clubs and figuring out how we are gonna throw this next party
- Community Building
- Private group announcements
- Limited-reach flyers shared intentionally
- Phone Tree’s
- Clever Apps (Mike is a software engineer.)
This approach keeps events focused, prevents overcrowding, and ensures the people who show up actually care about the music and the space. It also makes sure that we don’t offend bigger companies that might be doing events on the same night.
The Reality of Making an Underground Event Work
Throwing an underground event isn’t just about booking artists and finding a space. It’s logistics, risk management, and people management — often all at once.
Every event requires:
- Coordinating artists, set times, and equipment
- Managing sound, lighting, and load-in
- Handling door flow and capacity
- Dealing with unexpected issues in real time (Like black bears)
- Making sure there is Pottable Water, Portajohns, Trash Cans, and Medical Personal
Most importantly, it means making decisions that protect the event without compromising the community.
Why Undead Promos Exists
Undead Promos exists to create:
- Safer spaces for underground music
- Events built around respect and intention
- Opportunities for artists outside mainstream gatekeeping
- Sustainable systems that don’t burn people out
We’re not trying to scale endlessly or chase trends. We’re building something that lasts by staying grounded in the community that supports it.
Looking Forward
This blog will document:
- Event recaps
- Lessons learned
- Artist spotlights
- The realities of underground promotion
If you care about underground music in DC, Baltimore, Los Angeles, Long Beach, or Orange County, you’re in the right place.
Undead Promos 